Malay Apple

My daughters went to St. Columba's Primary school and I used to wait for the Malay Apple Tree to flower because I was very homesick for Sibu where the Malay Apple (Syzygium malaccense Merr. & Perry (syns. Eugenia malaccensis L., Jambos malaccensis DC) trees were plentiful.

Well I supposed over the years it did flower but I never did catch the blooms on camera.

However I was over the moon when  I noticed a really brilliant tree a few days ago. These are the first few photos I took with my new camera. For the younger generation this fruit is rather old fashioned and they might not even know the names like jambu merah, jambu bar, jambu bol, jambu melaka, jambu kling and jambu kapal. 

This old tree must be at least 50 years old...probably planted by the first  few Anglican missionaries. The pink and the green provide a great contrast to the old fragile branches. They give a keen observer the feeling that while the tree is still standing it will continue to burst into flowers and bear fruits. What a majestic natural gift!!

It is really exciting to see these flowers on the rough and gnarled branches.

Blooms on the branches are very pretty.

Stamens falling on the grown making geometrical formations.

Beautiful flower.

A pink carpet with sun spots on the ground...a few minutes after this shot was taken the rain came pouring down. 

One of the fallen flowers. Look at the yellow tips ( anthers) The stamens are rather long.

Medicinal Uses: According to Akana's translation of Hawaiian Herbs of Medicinal Value, the astringent bark has been much used in local remedies. It is pounded together with salt, the crushed material is strained through coconut husk fiber, and the juice poured into a deep cut. "The patient must exercise absolute self-control as the liquid bums its way into the flesh and nerves."

In the Molucca, or Spice, Islands, a decoction of the bark is used to treat thrush. Malayans apply a powder of the dried leaves on a cracked tongue. A preparation of the root is a remedy for itching. The root acts as a diuretic and is given to alleviate edema. The root bark is useful against dysentery, also serves as an emmenagogue and abortifacient. Cambodians take a decoction of the fruit, leaves or seeds as a febrifuge. The juice of crushed leaves is applied as a skin lotion and is added to baths. In Brazil, various parts of the plant are used as remedies for constipation, diabetes, coughs, pulmonary catarrh, headache and other ailments. Seeded fruits, seeds, bark and leaves have shown antibiotic activity and have some effect on blood pressure and respiration.(Wikipedia)

I hope the flowers will continue to develop into fruits !!